Post by wingtol on Aug 2, 2019 20:13:55 GMT -6

Teacher meetings. My former school coaches didn’t have to go to any meetings. They filled us in electronically. This new place is the same as the first districts I worked in. Hours and hours of nonsense. It probably has to be done to cover the school and administration but it’s such a waste of energy and resources to sit through people with doctorate degrees reading power points to people with masters and bachelors degrees. We had a hundred educated professionals all making $200+ a day sitting in the library reading or listening to information that could have been sent to us and taken much less time to cover. So basically $25000ish and not one original thought.

I hate it so much that when I decide it’s tome to stop coaching it will be those completely unrelated meetings that push me over the edge.

ding ding ding, this is the one for me too manmaybe it's the natural cynic in me, but the acronyms and re-heated platitudes still get under my skinnext week we start the week and half of madness with our "convacation" whatever the hell that means and then we will have talk about our "strategic plan"if your not sure what a "strategic plan" is, it's the same idea some guy made money of a decade ago only then it was a "mission statement"so now...armed with our strategic plan...we now have to not only keep the strategic plan in mind, but actually write up bullet points about how what we are doing in the classroom lines up with our strategic plani tell no lies we even have to write up purchase orders and such how buying an item aligns with the goals set forth in the strategic plan

so instead of just ordering girdles, you have to order them and add "this lines up with strategic plan item A7 - commitment to safety of all students"

amazing

We have some BS like tha going on where I teach. Multi year strategic planning. This year the focus is data mining or some crap. Kids are off like every Monday in Feb so we can have data summits. Can't wait.... of course we are an urban inner city district with 100% free lunch, several schools under 25% proficiency in math and reading, probably well over 70% poverty rate, elementary counselors saying kids are showing signs of PTSD from home/neighborhoods but we are gonna mine data to fix everything

Post by lochness on Aug 2, 2019 20:23:51 GMT -6

ding ding ding, this is the one for me too manmaybe it's the natural cynic in me, but the acronyms and re-heated platitudes still get under my skinnext week we start the week and half of madness with our "convacation" whatever the hell that means and then we will have talk about our "strategic plan"if your not sure what a "strategic plan" is, it's the same idea some guy made money of a decade ago only then it was a "mission statement"so now...armed with our strategic plan...we now have to not only keep the strategic plan in mind, but actually write up bullet points about how what we are doing in the classroom lines up with our strategic plani tell no lies we even have to write up purchase orders and such how buying an item aligns with the goals set forth in the strategic plan

so instead of just ordering girdles, you have to order them and add "this lines up with strategic plan item A7 - commitment to safety of all students"

amazing

We have some BS like tha going on where I teach. Multi year strategic planning. This year the focus is data mining or some crap. Kids are off like every Monday in Feb so we can have data summits. Can't wait.... of course we are an urban inner city district with 100% free lunch, several schools under 25% proficiency in math and reading, probably well over 70% poverty rate, elementary counselors saying kids are showing signs of PTSD from home/neighborhoods but we are gonna mine data to fix everything

Unbelievable. Please excuse me, though. I'm now going to jump out a window after eating a clump of Ebola-infested rat feces.

He bowls overhand. Cuba imports cigars from him. He makes downhill 2-back run schemes exciting. He is THE MOST INTERESTING MAN IN THE WORLD.

Post by larrymoe on Aug 2, 2019 21:39:18 GMT -6

All these things and more are why I stepped down a couple of years ago after 23 years in the saddle.

I'd add:

1. It was exhausting me. I am not a teacher. So balancing a full time career at 45-50 hours per week, plus a HFC job that ran about 40 hours per week in-season, plus having a young family was draining me beyond the healthy physical and mental limit. I was literally ill by the end of every season.

2. I was no longer taking joy in anything. We'd win and I was miserable. We'd lose and I was miserable. Instead of getting energy from my involvement, it started taking my energy. Nope. That's not sustainable.

3. Like larrymoe, I kinda got tired of the whole "cult of personality" image of this "higher calling" and "critical platform" push in football coaching. That's all well and good, but I am not a pastor or a cult leader. I'm a football coach. Teach skills, demand their best, create a safe and healthy environment. Good things happen by themselves. I'm not some GDam savior.

4. I had my fill. I felt like I had seen 2 decades worth of challenges, and there wasn't much more left . I have those memories forever. It was time for the new, real challenge of being a better father and husband 100% of the time.

In addition or to go along with your points-1. I got sick every Thanksgiving the last 7 years I was a HC. It was really weird for me and my family for me not to be puking that week of my favorite holiday.

2. I think the last year I had pure joy was 2012. 2013 was our most successful year record wise, but man I hated it. It was miserable getting a lot of those conceited aholes to even suit up on Friday. 2015 started fun, but the wheels just completely fell off after week 7, for the next 3 years. Last year was so miserable, I literally hated every waking second of the season. I almost quit before we even started.

3. My son came home from JFL last week and said they break out on "family". Idk why, but I legitimately got pissed off about it. Like you said, this cult crap that people are doing just because someone successful said you should do it is freaking sickening. You're not their family, nor will you ever be.

4. Outside playing in a championship, there's not a lot left for me to prove to myself. I'm too freaking old to deal with the stupid {censored} that has nothing to do with football.

Post by lochness on Aug 2, 2019 21:55:09 GMT -6

All these things and more are why I stepped down a couple of years ago after 23 years in the saddle.

I'd add:

1. It was exhausting me. I am not a teacher. So balancing a full time career at 45-50 hours per week, plus a HFC job that ran about 40 hours per week in-season, plus having a young family was draining me beyond the healthy physical and mental limit. I was literally ill by the end of every season.

2. I was no longer taking joy in anything. We'd win and I was miserable. We'd lose and I was miserable. Instead of getting energy from my involvement, it started taking my energy. Nope. That's not sustainable.

3. Like larrymoe, I kinda got tired of the whole "cult of personality" image of this "higher calling" and "critical platform" push in football coaching. That's all well and good, but I am not a pastor or a cult leader. I'm a football coach. Teach skills, demand their best, create a safe and healthy environment. Good things happen by themselves. I'm not some GDam savior.

4. I had my fill. I felt like I had seen 2 decades worth of challenges, and there wasn't much more left . I have those memories forever. It was time for the new, real challenge of being a better father and husband 100% of the time.

In addition or to go along with your points-1. I got sick every Thanksgiving the last 7 years I was a HC. It was really weird for me and my family for me not to be puking that week of my favorite holiday.

2. I think the last year I had pure joy was 2012. 2013 was our most successful year record wise, but man I hated it. It was miserable getting a lot of those conceited aholes to even suit up on Friday. 2015 started fun, but the wheels just completely fell off after week 7, for the next 3 years. Last year was so miserable, I literally hated every waking second of the season. I almost quit before we even started.

3. My son came home from JFL last week and said they break out on "family". Idk why, but I legitimately got pissed off about it. Like you said, this cult crap that people are doing just because someone successful said you should do it is freaking sickening. You're not their family, nor will you ever be.

4. Outside playing in a championship, there's not a lot left for me to prove to myself. I'm too freaking old to deal with the stupid {censored} that has nothing to do with football.

I'll add booster clubs to the list. Having a weekly a 2-hour meeting about peanut butter sandwiches and who is bringing the bananas to the team dinner made me crazy. Trying to plan the banquet made me suicidal. Having a 20k reserve but needing to create a doctoral thesis that justified the need for an endzone cam (which I didn't get) made me genocidal.

I also had the boster club president threaten to pull funding for hudl because we weren't using it to make weekly highlight videos for the kids.

You know, stuff like that.....

He bowls overhand. Cuba imports cigars from him. He makes downhill 2-back run schemes exciting. He is THE MOST INTERESTING MAN IN THE WORLD.

Post by larrymoe on Aug 2, 2019 22:15:54 GMT -6

I completely ignored our boosters. In 7 years they gave us $1500 dollars. $500 of it before I was officially hired. After my 3rd year there (we went 10-1 that season) they wanted to spend $15k on a play clocks. Our sled was held together with spot welds and athletic tape on the pads. I put together a list of more pressing needs. You know, stupid {censored} like helmets and shoulder pads and a new sled. They gave me $1000. I'd personally refund that grand if someone could show me where that $14k went

They'd set up their little booth at our games, sell tons of merch for double what they paid (like $45 for a $20 hoodie) and then give it all to the "scholarship". Which, shockingly their kids would win. After 4 years of the {censored} I just went for their throat and started selling merch myself before the season. They folded up shop in my last year. It was a victory I savored quite a bit my last year.

I wager that in 7 years we fundraised about 30-40 thousand dollars. My annual budget was $3k when I started. It was less when I left.

Post by rpetrie on Aug 3, 2019 19:53:37 GMT -6

It's been over 3 years since I've posted on this board...and probably because I moved away from coaching I chose to disconnect. I come back to just check it out and VOILA, this thread!!!

I moved into the AD Role at my school after the 2015 season. I had coached 25 years, in 2 states at 4 different schools...the last 15 years as the HC, with pretty decent success through all stops. Why stop???

1. It was just tougher to maintain that energy level till the end and I felt I wasn't doing the kids any justice if I couldn't maintain that. If I would have stayed in teaching I likely would have been better moving down a level or becoming just the assistant. I still really enjoy "teaching" the sport and miss the planning part. I do get out there every once in a while to help our younger coaches at the MS/JV level...its fun. But I can walk away...like being a grandparent.

2. Financially it was a no-brainer to make the move at this point in my career. College is coming up soon and I will have 3 there at some point. I'm not leaving education and really don't understand how people put in so many years then leave. Not judging...simply don't relate. I enjoy education, I'm just on the other side of it now (the dark side according to some).

3. It's what was best for my family. I had a good run and family was supportive despite the ups/downs. I'm still around it as the AD every Friday night so I get my game-day fix but at my leisure. Of course I'm there for home games, but I don't have to travel to away contests. I have 3 kids (2 boys in HS, 1 girl in MS) who play football, lacrosse, soccer, ice hockey, badminton, basketball...1 does scouts, all 3 play instruments... the schedule is insane. I haven't missed a game in any sport season for 4 years unless there's been 2 scheduled at the same time. I got to watch my 2 oldest play MS football together & then they were separated this past year (JV/MS). I saw EVERY game...home & away. Being there is important & my wife no longer loses me to HUDL for 20+hrs a week. It's my turn to be their support system through the ups/downs of athletics.

Post by lochness on Aug 4, 2019 6:51:31 GMT -6

It's been over 3 years since I've posted on this board...and probably because I moved away from coaching I chose to disconnect. I come back to just check it out and VOILA, this thread!!!

I moved into the AD Role at my school after the 2015 season. I had coached 25 years, in 2 states at 4 different schools...the last 15 years as the HC, with pretty decent success through all stops. Why stop???

1. It was just tougher to maintain that energy level till the end and I felt I wasn't doing the kids any justice if I couldn't maintain that. If I would have stayed in teaching I likely would have been better moving down a level or becoming just the assistant. I still really enjoy "teaching" the sport and miss the planning part. I do get out there every once in a while to help our younger coaches at the MS/JV level...its fun. But I can walk away...like being a grandparent.

2. Financially it was a no-brainer to make the move at this point in my career. College is coming up soon and I will have 3 there at some point. I'm not leaving education and really don't understand how people put in so many years then leave. Not judging...simply don't relate. I enjoy education, I'm just on the other side of it now (the dark side according to some).

3. It's what was best for my family. I had a good run and family was supportive despite the ups/downs. I'm still around it as the AD every Friday night so I get my game-day fix but at my leisure. Of course I'm there for home games, but I don't have to travel to away contests. I have 3 kids (2 boys in HS, 1 girl in MS) who play football, lacrosse, soccer, ice hockey, badminton, basketball...1 does scouts, all 3 play instruments... the schedule is insane. I haven't missed a game in any sport season for 4 years unless there's been 2 scheduled at the same time. I got to watch my 2 oldest play MS football together & then they were separated this past year (JV/MS). I saw EVERY game...home & away. Being there is important & my wife no longer loses me to HUDL for 20+hrs a week. It's my turn to be their support system through the ups/downs of athletics.

Amen.

He bowls overhand. Cuba imports cigars from him. He makes downhill 2-back run schemes exciting. He is THE MOST INTERESTING MAN IN THE WORLD.

Post by pvogel on Aug 4, 2019 10:22:09 GMT -6

It would be if I decided to go admin route. Not there yet.

But right now game day is not fun or enjoyable like it used to be. Just stress filled, and largely unrewarding. When we score I am not happy like I used to be. Im just relieved. Part of that is probably environment. But I'm not enjoying gameday like I should and that's bothering me.

“The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses – behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights.” - Muhammad Ali

Post by larrymoe on Aug 4, 2019 13:21:41 GMT -6

2. I'm not leaving education and really don't understand how people put in so many years then leave. Not judging...simply don't relate. I enjoy education, I'm just on the other side of it now (the dark side according to some).

Teaching never did "it" for me. When it became apparent last fall it was time for me to move away from coaching, there was no reason for me to stay in education. All the issues I have with coaching are only magnified in the classroom. The difference? At least in coaching you get to sort of choose or weed out those you have to deal with. There is no circumstance where I could see myself standing in front of a class for the next 12 years. Hell, I was a little depressed I was still there after Christmas (I started applying/interviewing for jobs around Columbus Day).

Money was never a deal when I enjoyed my job, but when it became a chore it was ridiculous to stay in a job that pays less than a job that you can get with a HS diploma to start.

Post by coachd5085 on Aug 4, 2019 13:47:10 GMT -6

Money was never a deal when I enjoyed my job, but when it became a chore it was ridiculous to stay in a job that pays less than a job that you can get with a HS diploma to start.

Agreed. The only exception may be those close to a pension. I feel bad because a friend of mine recently moved and took a private school position as opposed to a public one because she was tired of standardized test, evaluations based on those tests etc. She is starting year 15 I think. Just a shame that should couldn't hold out for 5 more years and get about 1,400 a month in pension/retirement as opposed to just the $ she has contributed into that retirement system.

Side note though, it does help keep the retirement system solvent for me

“As to methods there may be a million and then some, but principles are few. The man who grasps principles can successfully select his own methods. The man who tries methods, ignoring principles, is sure to have trouble.”-- ---Ralph Waldo Emerson apparently would have been a great football coach!

Post by blb on Aug 4, 2019 14:17:54 GMT -6

I taught English for 19 years. (Based on my evaluations) I was good at it and enjoyed it except for grading all the papers.

About half way through that period I realized I was going to become obsolete. Trying to teach Shakespeare and Poetry as the curriculum demanded to kids who were basically culturally illiterate wasn't going to help with standardized test scores, and that many freshman didn't care if they failed or not (they were used to "social promotion" up the ladder after all).

But I as a teacher would be held accountable for the failure rate in my classes and the test scores of my students.

Even trying to teach writing and "critical thinking" was difficult for kids who didn't read at HS level or just wanted the good grades, not have to "think." And that was before dawn of "social media."

It was obvious that being an "educated person" no longer had any value.

After ten years teaching PE administration told me I was going to have to teach two English 10 classes. By then (ten years ago) what classroom teachers had to do to try to appease the politicians had magnified greatly.

Told them I would retire instead (fortunately that was my first year eligible to do so).

I feel sorry for my friends who are still in public education trying to reach retirement (and our state is taking away pensions in lieu of 401ks and teachers have to pay much more into benefits than I ever did).

No way could I in good conscience recommend to someone to go into teaching-coaching as a career now.

Post by larrymoe on Aug 4, 2019 14:19:43 GMT -6

The year before last gave me 20 years in the system which got me vested. I then began to look at various state jobs that my retirement would be reciprocal. But, if it wasn't, I'd still get something out of my time.

Post by larrymoe on Aug 4, 2019 14:23:08 GMT -6

I taught English for 19 years. (Based on my evaluations) I was good at it and enjoyed it except for grading all the papers.

About half way through that period I realized I was going to become obsolete. Trying to teach Shakespeare and Poetry as the curriculum demanded to kids who were basically culturally illiterate wasn't going to help with standardized test scores, and that many freshman didn't care if they failed or not (they were used to "social promotion" up the ladder after all).

But I as a teacher would be held accountable for the failure rate in my classes and the test scores of my students.

Even trying to teach writing and "critical thinking" was difficult for kids who didn't read at HS level or just wanted the good grades, not have to "think." And that was before dawn of "social media."

It was obvious that being an "educated person" no longer had any value.

After ten years teaching PE administration told me I was going to have to teach two English 10 classes. By then what classroom teachers had to do to try to appease the politicians had magnified greatly.

Told them I would retire instead (fortunately that was my first year eligible to do so).

I feel sorry for my friends who are still in public education trying to reach retirement (and our state is taking away pensions in lieu of 401ks and paying much more into benefits than I ever had to).

No way could I in good conscience recommend to someone to go into teaching-coaching as a career now.

And that's sad.

I frequently told kids to not go into it. Our state has raised the retirement age from 55, to 67 to 70 for people getting in now. That's insane to make like $15/he to start.

Illinois just passed the $15 min wage. Go get a job at McDonalds and make the same money. Hell, they may have better healthcare.

Post by coachd5085 on Aug 4, 2019 14:43:58 GMT -6

No way could I in good conscience recommend to someone to go into teaching-coaching as a career now.

And that's sad.

I teach elementary (k-5) PE. I have been at my current school for 14 years and my ex students are starting to make career choices. Anytime I see any of them at school for practicum hours I try my BEST to convince them that unless they are going into some type of "specialty position" (Art, Music, PE, etc) that the will probably face more frustrating days than fulfilling ones. I also then tell them that those specialty positions are hard to get, and there is a good chance that they would be eliminated during their career (within the next 40 years or so)

I berate two of my coworkers because their own personal children are going into the profession.

“As to methods there may be a million and then some, but principles are few. The man who grasps principles can successfully select his own methods. The man who tries methods, ignoring principles, is sure to have trouble.”-- ---Ralph Waldo Emerson apparently would have been a great football coach!

Post by coachd5085 on Aug 4, 2019 14:47:53 GMT -6

The year before last gave me 20 years in the system which got me vested. I then began to look at various state jobs that my retirement would be reciprocal. But, if it wasn't, I'd still get something out of my time.

I have often said that although he never made the "big bucks" that D1 coaches make, Coach Tim Rebowe of Nicholls State University (FCS school in Louisiana) has had one of the best careers in college coaching. He started as a high school teacher/coach and has managed to coach college football for over 20 years all within the Louisiana Teacher's retirement system. ( Nicholls, then ULM, then ULL, then back to Nicholls as the HFC)

Contrasting that to other friends from coaching in college and he is golden.

“As to methods there may be a million and then some, but principles are few. The man who grasps principles can successfully select his own methods. The man who tries methods, ignoring principles, is sure to have trouble.”-- ---Ralph Waldo Emerson apparently would have been a great football coach!

Post by larrymoe on Aug 4, 2019 15:51:55 GMT -6

One thing I'm VERY much looking forward to in my new job is getting paid for hard work. Instead of working 12-16 hours for what someone else gets paid exactly the same for for working 8 hours, now I'll get 21-22/hr for the first 8 hours and 32-33/hr for the next 8. I potentially can make 60k- ish for only working 1 OT shift a week.

Post by coachd5085 on Aug 4, 2019 15:59:06 GMT -6

One thing I'm VERY much looking forward to in my new job is getting paid for hard work. Instead of working 12-16 hours for what someone else gets paid exactly the same for for working 8 hours, now I'll get 21-22/hr for the first 8 hours and 32-33/hr for the next 8. I potentially can make 60k- ish for only working 1 OT shift a week.

I have been talking with some friends/coworkers about a similar issue. In my district, the teaching contracts are all collectively bargained. I can't complain too much because as an elementary PE teacher, I do better off than my in-class teachers who work their behinds off at school and at home with regards to planning, assessments, professional development etc. HOWEVER it is interesting that the salary scale for the 4000 or so teachers in the district is collectively bargained, but there are some differences in workload.

“As to methods there may be a million and then some, but principles are few. The man who grasps principles can successfully select his own methods. The man who tries methods, ignoring principles, is sure to have trouble.”-- ---Ralph Waldo Emerson apparently would have been a great football coach!

Post by larrymoe on Aug 4, 2019 17:12:03 GMT -6

One thing I'm VERY much looking forward to in my new job is getting paid for hard work. Instead of working 12-16 hours for what someone else gets paid exactly the same for for working 8 hours, now I'll get 21-22/hr for the first 8 hours and 32-33/hr for the next 8. I potentially can make 60k- ish for only working 1 OT shift a week.

I have been talking with some friends/coworkers about a similar issue. In my district, the teaching contracts are all collectively bargained. I can't complain too much because as an elementary PE teacher, I do better off than my in-class teachers who work their behinds off at school and at home with regards to planning, assessments, professional development etc. HOWEVER it is interesting that the salary scale for the 4000 or so teachers in the district is collectively bargained, but there are some differences in workload.

Contractually there is no reason to work hard in teaching. You're going to get paid the same whether you show up an hour early and leave an hour late or 1 minute early and late.

I asked an admin one time, why do I bust my ass to do all this if there are no perks or benefits? (It was pertaining to a move of classrooms for me- they were going to move me out of a room with a sewer access point into the best room in the school, but didn't because the new part time math teacher who was friends with the super wanted it) His answer was there aren't any. He said he'd advise me to quit working so hard.

Post by PSS on Aug 4, 2019 18:49:20 GMT -6

I missed all of track season because of an injury. I came very close to losing an eye.

I say that to say this. Although I missed coaching track, my second favorite sport, what I missed most were the kids. That is how I know I'm not ready to get out. When I can no longer be able to deal with the athletes / kids I know it will be time to get out. I am starting my 28th year tomorrow. I am just as excited as I was when I started year one. The so called "grind" is not one to me. An advantage to doing it so long that it is normal life for myself and my wife. I can't imagine doing anything else.

Post by fantom on Aug 4, 2019 19:55:34 GMT -6

I have been talking with some friends/coworkers about a similar issue. In my district, the teaching contracts are all collectively bargained. I can't complain too much because as an elementary PE teacher, I do better off than my in-class teachers who work their behinds off at school and at home with regards to planning, assessments, professional development etc. HOWEVER it is interesting that the salary scale for the 4000 or so teachers in the district is collectively bargained, but there are some differences in workload.

Contractually there is no reason to work hard in teaching. You're going to get paid the same whether you show up an hour early and leave an hour late or 1 minute early and late.

I asked an admin one time, why do I bust my ass to do all this if there are no perks or benefits? (It was pertaining to a move of classrooms for me- they were going to move me out of a room with a sewer access point into the best room in the school, but didn't because the new part time math teacher who was friends with the super wanted it) His answer was there aren't any. He said he'd advise me to quit working so hard.

How about taking pride in your work and believing that the job is important?

A former Steeler, asked what Chuck Noll would think of the hours put in by modern coaches said, "He'd be amazed that there were people so inefficient that they couldn't get everything done in a working day".

Post by larrymoe on Aug 4, 2019 19:58:44 GMT -6

Contractually there is no reason to work hard in teaching. You're going to get paid the same whether you show up an hour early and leave an hour late or 1 minute early and late.

I asked an admin one time, why do I bust my ass to do all this if there are no perks or benefits? (It was pertaining to a move of classrooms for me- they were going to move me out of a room with a sewer access point into the best room in the school, but didn't because the new part time math teacher who was friends with the super wanted it) His answer was there aren't any. He said he'd advise me to quit working so hard.

How about taking pride in your work and believing that the job is important?

I said contractually. After a while though, when you keep seeing the bare minimums get exactly the same amount of perks, praise and pay as the extras, even the strongest of carers stops caring.

Post by coachd5085 on Aug 4, 2019 20:04:56 GMT -6

I think the consensus seems to be that things beyond the coach's control, yet that impact his opportunities for success are a main reason why coaches step away.

“As to methods there may be a million and then some, but principles are few. The man who grasps principles can successfully select his own methods. The man who tries methods, ignoring principles, is sure to have trouble.”-- ---Ralph Waldo Emerson apparently would have been a great football coach!

Post by fantom on Aug 4, 2019 20:18:00 GMT -6

How about taking pride in your work and believing that the job is important?

I said contractually. After a while though, when you keep seeing the bare minimums get exactly the same amount of perks, praise and pay as the extras, even the strongest of carers stops caring.

Not always.

A former Steeler, asked what Chuck Noll would think of the hours put in by modern coaches said, "He'd be amazed that there were people so inefficient that they couldn't get everything done in a working day".

Post by fantom on Aug 4, 2019 20:41:19 GMT -6

I didn't just teach so that I could coach. I loved them both. Outside of my personal life I have two passions in no order: football and history, and I got to do both.

A former Steeler, asked what Chuck Noll would think of the hours put in by modern coaches said, "He'd be amazed that there were people so inefficient that they couldn't get everything done in a working day".

Post by tothehouse on Aug 4, 2019 21:07:52 GMT -6

Not that I'm the greatest thing since sliced bread, but I was a part of 2 of the schools 4 championship teams. I feel like I know what winning football is supposed to look like.

I feel like nobody (Admin) understands this. Therefore I don't need to coach (at my current place at least).

I coached a majority (almost all) of my years with guys a lot older than me. I'm adding that in here, because it wasn't always fun after wins when guys would go home to bed and I was the only one who wanted to celebrate somehow. (Now I'd be the "old" guy).

I'm watching a well established program disappear in front of my eyes. I'm only caring this year because my youngest son will be a senior on the team. I went from doing the most in the whole program/school (you name it, I was responsible for doing it) for football to not doing a single thing. I don't feel bad about it.

I'm thinking about writing a book about the experience. It would be an eye opener for people who have no idea what we go through.

Post by coachd5085 on Aug 4, 2019 21:22:47 GMT -6

Contractually there is no reason to work hard in teaching. You're going to get paid the same whether you show up an hour early and leave an hour late or 1 minute early and late.

I asked an admin one time, why do I bust my ass to do all this if there are no perks or benefits? (It was pertaining to a move of classrooms for me- they were going to move me out of a room with a sewer access point into the best room in the school, but didn't because the new part time math teacher who was friends with the super wanted it) His answer was there aren't any. He said he'd advise me to quit working so hard.

How about taking pride in your work and believing that the job is important?

That really wasn't what I was referring to. I meant more along the lines of some of these examples from my district:1) Different school day lengths, from starting bell to dismissal bell. One High school has 7hr 5 min days. one has 7hr 25 min day, one has 7 hr 21 min days. ONe has 7hr 14min days. One middle school is 6hr 56min. One is 7hr 10min. The differences add up to entire days difference over the school year.

2) Our graduation days are early--They start April 29 in 2020. Seniors will basically done with class 4 1/2 weeks before the last day of school for the district. So if you teach 4 sections of Senior English.... what are you doing that last month while others are trying afloat.

3)The assessment level and workload of core classes is significantly greater than other classes...yet pay is the same.

Those are the things I was thinking of when I talked about the collectively bargained contract

“As to methods there may be a million and then some, but principles are few. The man who grasps principles can successfully select his own methods. The man who tries methods, ignoring principles, is sure to have trouble.”-- ---Ralph Waldo Emerson apparently would have been a great football coach!

Post by 20x on Aug 4, 2019 23:38:56 GMT -6

I haven't posted here on the site in a long time either. Definitely interesting reading everyone's response to the topic. I have been a member here since the beginning of my teaching career, starting year 17 tomorrow. Seems like most of us have a lot of similar experiences in vastly different geographical areas across the country. Took a job a one of the best high schools/school systems in the my state this past year. Definitely revitalized my energy level. However, I still know that my time coaching is winding down, since my attitude has shifted greatly. Right now my only concern is to give kids the best high school experience they can possibly have, and I am now coaching at school competing for state championships in most sports. That maybe because my kids are coming through soon and I coach sports on both the boys and girls sides. But the day to day grind for little pay and a massive time commitment are finally wearing me down.

Post by dthumphr on Aug 5, 2019 14:36:46 GMT -6

Teacher meetings. My former school coaches didn’t have to go to any meetings. They filled us in electronically. This new place is the same as the first districts I worked in. Hours and hours of nonsense. It probably has to be done to cover the school and administration but it’s such a waste of energy and resources to sit through people with doctorate degrees reading power points to people with masters and bachelors degrees. We had a hundred educated professionals all making $200+ a day sitting in the library reading or listening to information that could have been sent to us and taken much less time to cover. So basically $25000ish and not one original thought.

I hate it so much that when I decide it’s tome to stop coaching it will be those completely unrelated meetings that push me over the edge.

This was always my biggest gripe about teaching... the high school meetings. It was such a royal waste of time. They could just send an email and convey all the information.

Then, my private school would have school-wide meetings with us (high school) and the other grades (elementary and middle). The elementary school teachers would always fret and ask pointless questions to topics and procedures that were pretty clearly defined. It always reminded me why we had meetings. Because these dummies couldn't read an email and correctly interpret the information without freaking out and asking the principal or headmaster 1,000 questions.

Post by fantom on Aug 5, 2019 15:12:45 GMT -6

Teacher meetings. My former school coaches didn’t have to go to any meetings. They filled us in electronically. This new place is the same as the first districts I worked in. Hours and hours of nonsense. It probably has to be done to cover the school and administration but it’s such a waste of energy and resources to sit through people with doctorate degrees reading power points to people with masters and bachelors degrees. We had a hundred educated professionals all making $200+ a day sitting in the library reading or listening to information that could have been sent to us and taken much less time to cover. So basically $25000ish and not one original thought.

I hate it so much that when I decide it’s tome to stop coaching it will be those completely unrelated meetings that push me over the edge.

This was always my biggest gripe about teaching... the high school meetings. It was such a royal waste of time. They could just send an email and convey all the information.

Then, my private school would have school-wide meetings with us (high school) and the other grades (elementary and middle). The elementary school teachers would always fret and ask pointless questions to topics and procedures that were pretty clearly defined. It always reminded me why we had meetings. Because these dummies couldn't read an email and correctly interpret the information without freaking out and asking the principal or headmaster 1,000 questions.

You hit on one of my pet peeves. In Virginia we're required to give statewide Standards of Learning tests(SOL's) that students must pass to graduate. Every year we're required to have a training session. The rules are straightforward and don't change from year to year so this meeting shouldn't be that long. You can probably see where this is going.

One rule (law, actually) says that we must read the directions directly from the book and may not answer questions or explain anything in our own words. We can't deviate from the procedure. That's pretty standard for standardized tests such as SAT's. Of course that's not good enough for some teachers. Every year there are a minimum of three who ask questions like:

"So, we HAVE to read right out of the book?". Yes."We can't answer questions?". No."We can't explain anything?". No

A former Steeler, asked what Chuck Noll would think of the hours put in by modern coaches said, "He'd be amazed that there were people so inefficient that they couldn't get everything done in a working day".

Post by dthumphr on Aug 5, 2019 15:16:42 GMT -6

It's been over 3 years since I've posted on this board...and probably because I moved away from coaching I chose to disconnect. I come back to just check it out and VOILA, this thread!!!

I moved into the AD Role at my school after the 2015 season. I had coached 25 years, in 2 states at 4 different schools...the last 15 years as the HC, with pretty decent success through all stops. Why stop???

1. It was just tougher to maintain that energy level till the end and I felt I wasn't doing the kids any justice if I couldn't maintain that. If I would have stayed in teaching I likely would have been better moving down a level or becoming just the assistant. I still really enjoy "teaching" the sport and miss the planning part. I do get out there every once in a while to help our younger coaches at the MS/JV level...its fun. But I can walk away...like being a grandparent.

2. Financially it was a no-brainer to make the move at this point in my career. College is coming up soon and I will have 3 there at some point. I'm not leaving education and really don't understand how people put in so many years then leave. Not judging...simply don't relate. I enjoy education, I'm just on the other side of it now (the dark side according to some).

3. It's what was best for my family. I had a good run and family was supportive despite the ups/downs. I'm still around it as the AD every Friday night so I get my game-day fix but at my leisure. Of course I'm there for home games, but I don't have to travel to away contests. I have 3 kids (2 boys in HS, 1 girl in MS) who play football, lacrosse, soccer, ice hockey, badminton, basketball...1 does scouts, all 3 play instruments... the schedule is insane. I haven't missed a game in any sport season for 4 years unless there's been 2 scheduled at the same time. I got to watch my 2 oldest play MS football together & then they were separated this past year (JV/MS). I saw EVERY game...home & away. Being there is important & my wife no longer loses me to HUDL for 20+hrs a week. It's my turn to be their support system through the ups/downs of athletics.

Hah! I just came back to this board for the first time in about 4 years, too. I came back looking for some leadership and development materials for my business. Then, I find this thread, too.

Why did I move on? Similar reasons that others have stated on this thread, but here are a couple more.

a) No increase in pay or any sense of value-based pay. I taught chemistry AND coached football AND still performed extra non-teaching duties. A couple years I also taught AP Chemistry in addition to coaching football. So... yeah, I deserved to get paid more than most other teachers. My position is extremely hard to fill unlike other teaching spots in the school system. We led our school back to the state championship game for the first time in 11 years and we didn't get a pay-raise.

b) I got tired of the zero-sum game. Someone always has to lose and someone always has to win.

c) I cared so much about things and situations I couldn't control or improve. I got tired of convincing kids to play. I got tired of convincing kids to be tough and not quit. I got tired of convincing kids to want to work out and get stronger. Injuries were hard on me, too. It was hard to deal with kids getting hurt, like tearing an ACL for the second time for example.

Now, in business it's hard, but at least I'm in control of my own destiny. I'm not making much more than I was teaching and coaching but at least I don't have to answer to anyone. I can do things my way because I know I will put in more time and effort to create a successful system than anyone else around me.

One thing I miss?Coaching clinics. I noticed we have the AFCA here this year and a Glazier every year. So, I'm gonna try to attend. By far my the most fun each year was going to clinics and hanging out with other coaches.